CondyIDFAQ

FAQs on Condylactis Anemone Identification

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Anemone Success
Doing what it takes to keep Anemones healthy long-term

by Robert (Bob) Fenner

Taxonomic info 12/11/12
Hi WWM crew,
I came across this page, http://65.36.157.188/condyanemones.htm, and thought to send a few taxonomic corrections to you:
Condylactis passiflora is an unaccepted name; the accepted name is Condylactis gigantea
(http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=458658).
Mithrax cinctimanus was moved into the genus, Mithraculus by H. P. Wagner, 1990, Zool. Verh. (Leiden) 264:48-53. Accepted name: Mithraculus cinctimanus.
Although not on that web page, the Pederson's cleaner shrimp, also a symbiont found with C. gigantea and Bartholomea annulata (ringed or corkscrew anemone) has moved from the genus Periclimenes to the genus Ancylomenes by Okuno and Bruce (2010) Designation of Ancylomenes gen. nov., for 'Periclimenes aesopius species group' (Crustacea: Decapoda: Palaemonidae), with the description of a new species and a checklist of congeneric species. Zootaxa 2372: 85-105. Accepted name: Ancylomenes pedersoni.
Sincerely,
Nancy Sheridan
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 8th Ave SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
http://myfwc.com/research/
<Thank you for these updates. As principally a hobbyist site, we do tend to "lag" (e.g. not recognizing the addition, movement of genera, species in Veron's recent Scleractinia works), be more of lumpers than splitters taxonomically... but it is important to provide current systematics. Will post your input here re these species. Bob Fenner>
Re: Taxonomic info, Condylactis conservation 12/11/12
Thanks for the reply and you're welcome for the info. Also, in case you haven't heard, a three-year prohibition on the recreational and commercial harvest of Condys in Florida state and federal waters went into effect Nov. 1, 2012. For more info, please see - http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/2012/october/24/marine-life/.
Nancy
<Ah, I thank you for this note as well. Have a long-standing disregard for the use of Actinarians in the ornamental trade... not worth their extraction in my view. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Condi? Haitian? what's wrong with this picture 5/3/07 Hello all, Me again. <... who?> ok what's wrong with this picture? the big Anenome (in picture 1) was sold to me as a Pink Tipped Haitian. However is slightly unlike my smaller pink tip. He's huge. Am I correct to believe it's a Florida Condi? <Likely a different species... of Condylactis.. though the small one could just be bleached, diminished in size. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/condylactis.htm and the linked files above> Really that isn't the reason for e-mailing you again! (but is it?) When I bought the Anenome, it's tentacles were white, almost transparent clear. It's been 2 weeks now and he seems "rusty" or a little brown. <A good sign actually> The small Anenome is still white. water is WNL with the exception of the Nitrates being 20 (they re always 20) course I have some brown algae but I like that for the cucumber, urchins, and crabs. my lighting is 6 T5 daylight VHO (total of 60 000K) plus a 32 watt 420 Actinic AND a 40 watt 18,000 power-Glo on a 55gallon. Apparently I should be able to grow anything, or so I was told. The 6 T5's are new, I added them gradually. <Good> I had 4 lights added and 2 to go when I introduced the Anenome. I read on another website while searching for this discoloration for the last 3 hours, that the "rusty" color means it's healthy. <Generally, yes> I was unable to find anything else about this kind of Anenome or illness or anything anywhere. Since you guys and gals have never failed me, I thought I'd ask ya. Is this a good thing or is it going to croak over and toxify my critters. (Please tell me it's healthy). <Read on> Oh yeah, I should probably mention what Mr. Anenome eats. He eats shrimp and krill (one or the other) about every 5-7 days, I alternate. Plus I put in some of DT's live Marine Phytoplankton once a week for the feather duster. I did slip him another Krill today (shell on) wondering if it was an iodine deficiency, gobbled it right up and only 4 days since he last ate, he will also occasionally catch some stray flake food or frozen brine. My LFS only fed him/her once a week, and I only feed my other Anenome (and starfish) once a week (5-7 days). Boy I sure can make a short story go on and on huh? Ok while I have you on the line.... it was feeding time and I always do a "well check" 2 times a day. usually around 9pm (which it is) my hermit crab, Guido, gets naked and crawls in and out of various shells, lights on in front of god and everybody. My Big Anenome, the one in question here also moves up the rock and my pincushions "dress up" little more than during the day, one is actually sporting a blue silk flower from a fake plant (had to snap a picture). Is this normal evening behavior for critters? <Likely so for this setting> they all seem to have their own personality, but they're "rubbing off" on each other or something. It's hilarious. At least they're all mobile and we're all having a good time. I wish predictable Humans were this much fun. Have a great one.
Thanks in advance.
Rochelle
<RMF>

GIANT Caribbean anemone Aloha Bob (Anthony...Howzit Brah...) thanks again for the info on the coralline dilemma.. slow process but it seems to be starting in small spots. Some new live rock and less chemicals. I figure it will surprise me...;-) My new question is about my Caribbean anemone...it is HUGE!!!! it started out as a silver dollar sized little dude and is now a huge pink wig!!!! The tentacles touch either side of the tank..65 gallon hex. <Mmm, this is/would be a very big one... about the largest I've ever seen (wild or in captivity) is 20 cm./8 inches across... Maybe this is a Pacific species?> Fish are cool with him..( they do have space.. heheh) He did eat one of my banded shrimps...a juicy meal I am guessing...my shrimps are 3 inches long! ...here is my question....do they split when they reach a certain size? <Can... given good or stressful conditions> or will it outgrow the tank? <Sounds like it already has> He is attached to the center piece rock. looks great but wondering of tank size limitations for it. Any help is always welcome. Most info I can find on it lacks in the reproduction side for these guys. <Please take a read through the Anemone FAQs files starting here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/cnidaria/anthozoa/anemones.htm Aloha, Bob Fenner>
Mahalo
POG

Anemone ID 10/20/03 Hopefully you receive a semi-clear image from my digital picture. Please let me know any info. you have on this if you recognize it! <It is a Condylactis species, my friend... do use this genus name for further searches abroad in books and online literature. My overall opinion of this anemone in captivity is that they are often neglected. They need reef lighting every bit as bright as that required for corals... yet few aquarists are willing to invest hundreds of dollars in quality lights just to keep an animal worth but a few dollars. A lack of light can be compensated for somewhat by regular feedings of finely minced meats of marine origin> Thank you for your valuable time. Eckhard Argentina.
<best regards, Anthony>

Anemone issues Bob, <Chris> I have been reading your articles on anemones I am very upset at my local fish store. I have small Damsels and Tomato Clowns and False clownfish in my tank. All small (1 inch or so) And they told me to buy these tube anemones http://www.nakian.com/marine/anenome_1.JPG <Mmm, look like Condylactis species> I think they are tubes anyways. Last night I caught one eating a Damsel <Not atypical... as you likely know (now) these animals are not found in the same ocean...> One clown was so knocked out the he was stuck against the filter. And I believe another clown actually may have also been stung the night before. <Possibly> One of my clowns now is acting a bit odd. Always swimming near top of tank and he is not so orange anymore. I fear he got grabbed the night before and got beat up. I assume my best course of action is to return the anemones. <Yes> I have them quarantined in a section of the tank now. Please advise. Thanks -CPN <Good luck my friend. Studying new livestock purchases ahead of time will prevent such future ordeals. I would not, do not rely on any one given source of information... Bob Fenner>

Re: Anemone issues Bob, After more reading it appears that I have two Condys. I am not really sure what to do with them. -CPN <Mmm, let's see... enjoy them? Take them back for trade-in? Get other livestock that will go with them? Perhaps another tank/set-up? Bob Fenner>

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